VA seeks comments on new non-VA provider networks

AHA News NowDec 10, 2012

The Department of Veterans Affairs encourages hospitals and other interested parties to submit comments regarding a new VA program that will allow non-VA facilities to provide medical-surgical care to VA patients through five regional provider networks, according to a notice issued Friday. The Patient-Centered Community Care program is modeled on Project HERO (Healthcare Effectiveness through Resource Optimization), a pilot program launched in 2008. Veterans would continue to go to a VA health clinic or medical facility for primary care needs, but could get follow-up specialty care at a hospital or other non-VA facility that participates in the network. The department plans to release information by January on how hospitals and others can apply to administer one of the networks.